Doordarshan ‘ban’ affects 13 producers
Chris Forrester
10-08-2009

India’s public broadcaster Doordarshan has ‘banned’ 13 production houses for alleged irregularities in completing contracts over the supply of programming. Some unnamed producers were alleged to have submitted blank tapes of ‘missing’ episodes in order to meet production deadlines.

It now appears that the producers are taking legal advice. One producer has already achieved a stay from India’s High Court over the ban. Other producers have told Indiantelevision.com that they have formally written to Doordarshan demanding a personal meeting. If these requests fail then legal action could follow. One production house has alleged corruption by Doordarshan officials.

The web-site names the following as being involved in the problem: BAG Film and Media Ltd, Saif Entertainment, Tirupati Production, Astra Productions, Touchstone Communications, Rainbow Films, Matrix Entertainment, Magick Works, Vaishnu Films, Shrey Media Entertainments, Montage Films, Meghna U-Matic Vision, and Bajaj Animation Kendra.